Stephen Harris - University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Professor: Stephen Harris

Department: English

College: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG201
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

His humor is very sarcastic but he does not direct this sarcasm onto students, very kind and open to student participation but will not force you to speak. He can be a tough grader but a close analysis of language over theme is perferred The reading can be tough and dry but his lectures help, one book the rest online. enjoyable

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGL201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He is incredibly cruel and incredibly unclear in what he wants from you. His comments on your papers will make you cry; they are akin to what an internet troll would write in the comments section of an online article. They're THAT bad. He'll write in all caps, by hand, to YELL at you with his comments. Do not take. Brilliant, but should NOT teach.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Lectures were bland, but he tries to engage. He's funny, but not very approachable. Made very rude comments on my midterm paper with little explanation, then when I tried to meet with him he never showed. Had no idea how I was doing the entire semester, ended up with an A that I'm pretty sure was random. Overall, he's alright.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENC1101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Great teacher I tured in 2 late assignments and he still gave me a good grade. Talks a lot but a cool teacher very smart and knows his stuff. Dont cheat and dont still no ones paper offline or anywhere he will know.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH412
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Harris is phenomenal. Loves his subject, wants to make sure students understand material, and very fair. Turns what could be dry material into an exciting story. Take a class with him if you can, he is exceptionally smart.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG131
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Society and Lit is an easy class but extremely boring. It requires a ton of reading (12 novels)and the discussions are not very helpful. However if you are looking for an easy Global and Lit gen ed this is good.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Brilliant guy who should be showcasing his incredible intelligence in writing, not teaching. He doesn't seem to like people, especially undergrads, and can be horribly rude. I respect that he taught me a lot, but his class ultimately left me very discouraged and frustrated.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Harris is awkward and nerdy but he's HILARIOUS and brilliant. I've learned SO much about a period in lit that I never previously cared about at all. He makes great jokes and is very lenient. If you have a B don't have to take final, just write a paper on anything you choose. He is one of the smartest professors I've had. Taking his class next sem.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG341
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Harris is a great professor. Intelligent, helpful, funny and challenging. I'm taking him again if I can. It is not impossible to get an A, but you won't have it handed to you, and I do recommend that English majors take him.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I would not recommend taking this professor because he gets upset easily and underestimates the amount that students care. Sometimes he seems frustrated to be teaching. I do believe he is a good man and knows a lot about his field, but the classroom does not seem to be his favorite place. Maybe he would be a good guy to work with one on one.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Hard grader. Rude to students. Definitely a challenge to take and he is really well educated in this subject. Doesn't hold office hours and doesn't provide useful tips on how to write papers to his liking. I would not recommend him for the simple fact that pleasing him is like taking a stab in the dark.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He's a very hard grader. Rude to students and very moody. However, he definitely knows a lot about English. I would say if you could take his class pass fail then to take it, but if not don't bother because its impossible to get an A.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG205
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

never got a c before this guy

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG412
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Harris's phenomenal teaching makes this class one of the best I ever took in my four years at UMass.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG416
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Incredible teacher, not only is he witty and engaging in his lectures he clearly knows a ton about the material and loves teaching it. Also he's doesn't simply tell you what to think but tries to get you to come up with their own ideas. Couple short papers, not hard if you think. Lot of reading but interesting. Take a class with this guy!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG491
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Nearly all comments about Harris on this site are spot on. Doesn't often make himself available to students, can be rude and unthoughtful: make students afraid to approach him; but instills great respect through enthusiastic teaching and the sense of value he lends the material. His superlative teaching style far outweighs his flaws. + very funny!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG416
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Wicked funny guy, really loves what he's teaching and is determined to show his students how to love it too. Not too hard, the translations are easy and there's a lot of reading but you can get by if you skimp a bit. Way more interesting than some of the other older and crumpled up english professors.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG416
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Tough class, funny dude

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Harris is the man. His classes are not easy by any stretch of the imagination. But this man knows everything about everything about the english language. He's also funny as hell, and helpful to boot. If you need extra help he'll do it. To sum it up, Harris is tough as hell, but he is fair.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG891
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I enjoyed this class so much! Great class discussions. Harris is respectful towards everyone. Lively class. Harris has a great sense of humor and is very entertaining. Heavy reading. Three papers due at end of course.